Just thought I'd give a short (?) note on this rivalry between these 2 countries. First, there is definitely no love lost between these two, Mexico doesn't like the U.S. and the U.S. feels the same way. The U.S. when playing Mexico carefully picks where they will play in order that they have a pro U.S. crowd. There are very few cities in the U.S. where the U.S. can play in front of a 'home crowd'. If the U.S. was to play in L.A. or Texas or even Florida it would be as if they were the 'visiting' country because the Mexican fans come out in masses and by far out number the U.S. fans. So the U.S. goes to Oregon, Ohio or Massachusetts to play and get a 'home' crowd.
Thus, the U.S. played Mexico Saturday in Ohio amongst a home crowd. Again, with no love some Mexico players talked in the press about how superior they and made references to Donovan's mother which in turn Donovan shot back that the Mexican players are just jealous because after soccer they have no life, where the U.S. players do. So, the stage was set for what was to be the most important game for either team in 4 years, the winner would qualify for the '06 WC, where a tie would get Mexico in as well.
Also, Lavolpe, the Mexican coach has been under fire from the press as well as Hugo Sanchez for a while now, which is a bit odd since going into the game Mexico's only blemish on the qualifying record was a tie. It's no secret that Sanchez wants the National coaching job and takes every chance he gets to campaign for it. On the other hand, 4 of the Mexican players (including Rafael Marquez/Barca) said that if Lavolpe was to be fired (rumored to be possibly Tuesday), they would not play for the national team.
The game was 0-0 at half, with Mexico playing for the tie using a 4-5-1, a formation they
never use (usually have 3 up front), at which Sanchez would use to add fuel to the fire in his ongoing criticism of Lavolpe. The game had its normal pushing, shoving, hard tackles, talking to one another which these games have had forever. Then, the U.S. scored on a headed ball off a deflection from the goal post to go up 1-0.
Game on! Mexico now needed to play, but minutes later Beasley (PSV) bent a kick around Mexico's keeper to go ahead 2-0 and Mexico was in trouble. They never really pressured, and only once was Keller forced to make a save on a ball headed on its way in the corner. Keller plays like superman for the U.S., I'm not sure how he's viewed overseas, but he's quality in big games for the U.S.
Anyway, the final was score 2-0.
No handshaking by players or coaches at the end, a bitter rivalry continues. The U.S. is bound for Germany; Mexico needs only to tie in their 2 remaining games to book a flight to Germany as well, which will no doubt happen.
I hope I didn’t bore you, but that’s the news on the biggest game for theses 2 countries since the last World Cup..........
